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Project Blue Joker - Drum Radar Site Traditional Cache

Hidden : 8/20/2011
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is located close to the summit of Drum and former test site of a mobile radar unit. Trials of theProject Blue Joker Radar system where conducted at this site during the 1950’s. Please take the usual safety precautions for walking in the mountains.

Suggested, free but limited, parking is available at the 'Bwlch y Ddeufaen' car park [SH 72073 71547] Rowen end of the Roman road or alternatively N 53°13.495 W 003° 59.059 at the Aber end. All that remains on the site [N 53°12.499 W 003° 56.145] are two concrete foundations and several metal pegs that where used to tether the units. The cache is located approximately 80 metres from the site, on the other side of the fence, due to the lack of suitable hiding spots.

History & Site Information: During the 1950’s the RAF tested a radar system at the Drum site under the rainbow code name of Project Blue Joker.The site was created in order to test features of the radar signal processing to minimise sea wave clutter from as high a point a reasonably practical. The setup included two mobile cabins; one a modified mobile radar unit to house the equipment and the other a domestic trailer for use by the staff. In addition, there was a large diesel electric generator. The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) built the access road from Aber to the site.

The Llanfairfechan's Community Web Portal has some interesting discussion threads about Project Blue Joker and pictures relating to the Drum site trials. Link to the photos/ web page.

Link to photos of the site at the time of listing this geocache.

Finally, many thanks must go to the warden for permission to place the cache.

Congratulations to 'Team mws pws' for been FTF.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre ebpx.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)